Accelerated Method for Joint Fatty Acid Composition and T1 (FACT) Mapping of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Mice at 9.4 T

Motivation: Proinflammatory epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) contributes to heart failure (HF). MRI fatty acid composition (FAC) and T1 of EAT may distinguish proinflammatory vs. healthy EAT. Applying separate FAC and T1 mapping sequences is time consuming, motivating the development of accelerated methods. Goal(s): Our goal was to create an accelerated joint EAT FAC and T1-mapping method (FACT) for use in mice at 9.4 T. Approach: An inversion-recovery multi-echo sequence and model-based mapping method was developed with acceleration along orthogonal time dimensions. Results: Results demonstrate feasibility of the FACT method with approximately rate 12 acceleration. Impact: The FACT method efficiently and accurately determines both EAT fat composition and T1 and could be used in-vivo to investigate mechanisms and efficacy of novel therapies targeting proinflammatory EAT in the context of metabolic heart disease.